Ronald L. Montgomery

Ron Montgomery of Fountain Hills Arizona passed away on Saturday, January 26, after a hard fought 12-year battle with lung cancer. Ron is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sharon (Sexton), children Tracy (Partner Kristi) and Tim, his brother Robert Montgomery and sister-in-law Barbara, Uncle Lowell Montgomery, niece and nephew Lisa and Todd Montgomery, many cousins, and countless loving friends.

Born in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1937 to Thomas Elbert and Verna (McKnight) Montgomery, Ron attended Edison Grade School and was a graduate of the class of 1955 at Phoenix Union High School where he played on the state championship football team, and took third in state in his weight class in wrestling. He played football at Phoenix College for one year before attending Arizona State College (now ASU) where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) Fraternity. Passionate about teaching, he became a 5th grade teacher in the Scottsdale School District where he taught for 4 years.

Ron served proudly in the Arizona Air National Guard where he was activated and deployed to Germany in 1961-62 as a weapons mechanic. After teaching, Ron owned and operated his own automotive service stations for 13-years, before joining the Phoenix Police Department on his 40th birthday. He served the citizens of Phoenix proudly for 25 years before retiring as a Sergeant for the department in 2002. Forever the “teacher”, Ron cherished the opportunity to train others in the career he was so proud to be a part of. As a training officer, training sergeant, and driving instructor, he taught hundreds of new police officers to become valuable members of the department and took pride in mentoring officers in career and life planning.

Ron was an avid hunter, angler, outdoorsman, and firearms enthusiast (lifetime member of the NRA) and enjoyed teaching others about firearms and Arizona history. He loved doing woodwork and leather crafts. He and his wife Sharon fulfilled a lifelong dream when they built the family’s cabin in Forest Lakes, Arizona where they spent many summers with family and friends. Ron also served as the President of the Forest Lakes Home Owners Association for 3 years.

The Montgomery family will be forever grateful for the compassionate care and assistance provided to them from the nurses, and care givers of THEMA Health Services and Cardinal Health Care who were committed to making Ron’s journey more comfortable and dignified.

Ron’s family invites you to share your stories and memories at the memorial service and reception that will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at Shadow Mountain Mortuary, located at 2350 East Greenway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85022.

Ron loved his dogs Peanut and Bella (and the many dogs he had before them) and passionately supported public safety first responders. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to: The 100 Club of Arizona (www.100club.org) benefiting public safety employees injured or killed in the line of duty. Foothills Animal Rescue, 10197 East Bell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 or the animal rescue of your choice in Ron’s name.